Say it’s your birthday…..

(Note: I am sharing this blog, written by Hanna Oberhofer, my summer intern, as it was her birthday last week. And, please note that Steve Tillotson is a client of mine as well as a fellow Rotarian…..)

Unless you are Michael Fassbender’s character David in “Prometheus” and don’t age, there’s that one day a year that marks another mile stone in the story of your life: your birthday. What you once celebrated with cake, balloons, games, and your buddies as a kid has become a more sophisticated event the more we mature: a nice restaurant has replaced the pool party, a bottle of champagne substitutes for the piñata, and instead of colorful cards we get a quick email from our bosses. This is not to take away from the fun surrounding birthdays, but merely to point out the significance of recognizing birthdays on a business level.

As a local business owner or proprietor, paying attention to your employees’ and loyal clients’ birthdays can set you apart from your competition. By acknowledging their special day, you show that you value their contribution to your business, whichever form it may come in. Case in point: I had a lemon poppy seed muffin courtesy of my boss waiting on my desk when I arrived at the office the morning of; a regular client of mine surprised me with my favorite bottle of bubbles; my financial advisor wished me a happy birthday after reminding me to return some documents he had sent me the week before. These small tokens of appreciation not only make for a nice personal touch, but also for a powerful marketing tool. I’ll be the first (and surely not the last) to recommend my financial advisor to any friend in need of some money management.

Now, what can you do to make a similar impression on the people that support your business? “Cater to them in a unique way,” says Steve Tillotson of Diamondback Promotions. In the summer months Tillotson, who specializes in branded promotional items, personalizes a great deal of camouflage hunting gear and golf apparel. Which business man wouldn’t be flattered by a birthday golf polo from a business associate?

According to Tillotson, tech items are also very popular, USB sticks in particular. “They are useful gadgets that, when sent to a client with a personalized card, say, ‘Thanks for doing business with us, we appreciate you.’ It’s the thought that you put into it that counts.”

So, show your appreciation for the people who keep you in business: your employees and long-time clients. Log onto Steve’s Facebook Fan Page and explore the endless opportunities with which you can set yourself apart from your competitors, be it with custom printed shirts, coffee mugs, or even cookies with a personalized message.

After all, birthdays only come once a year. Unless you’re David, the robot.